Aftershocks still possible from magnitude 5.1 Virac quake

MANILA—Government still expects aftershocks from the magnitude 5.1 earthquake that struck off the southern shore of Virac, Catanduanes on Wednesday afternoon.

“Given the earthquake’s magnitude and settling of rocks there due to this event, aftershocks are still possible,” said John Paul Fallarme, science research analyst at Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

He said Phivolcs recorded the earthquake’s first aftershock – a tremblor of an estimated magnitude 1 or 2, at 8:51 p.m. Wednesday (Jan.11).

According to Phivolcs, the 2:24 p.m. earthquake on Wednesday struck 15 kms south 21° west of Virac. It was of tectonic origin and struck at a depth of 9.0 kms.

However, Phivolcs does not expect any damage from the quake.”The earthquake wasn’t that strong to cause damage,” Fallarme said.

Neither has Phivolcs warned about possible tsunami,

“Earthquakes of magnitude 6.4 or more generate such events,” Fallarme noted.

Phivolcs said the earthquake was reported at intensity IV in Virac and Panganiban in Catanduanes, and in Albay province’s capital Legazpi City.

Based on Phivolcs’ earthquake intensity scale, that means people indoors and some persons outdoors felt the earthquake at “moderately strong” intensity like vibration from passing of a heavy truck.

Camarines Norte province’s capital Daet City as well as Sipocot municipality and Naga City in Camarines Sur province reported the earthquake at intensity III, Phivolcs said.

People indoors there, particularly those in upper floors of buildings, felt the earthquake at “weak” intensity like a passing light truck’s vibration.

Sorsogon province’s capital Sorsogon City and Quezon province’s Municipality of Guinayangan reported the earthquake at intensity II, Phivolcs also said.

At such intensity, the earthquake was “slightly felt” by few people at rest indoors.

Phivolcs will update its information on the earthquake as soon as data on this event becomes available.